Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 175: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the position in regard to registration of exploration interests outside the 200 mile limit with particular reference to the porcupine basin and this country's potential entitlement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20696/06]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 335: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the position in regard to registration of exploration interests outside the 200 mile limit with particular reference to the Porcupine Basin and this country's potential entitlement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20821/06]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 175 and 335 together.

The Porcupine Basin and the Goban Spur both lie entirely within Ireland's 200-mile Exclusive Economic Zone and therefore the issue of entitlement does not arise. Ireland made a submission under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea to extend its continental shelf beyond 200 miles into the Porcupine Abyssal Plain area last year, and beyond 200 miles into the Biscay Abyssal Plain area (together with France, Spain and the UK) earlier this month. Both submissions are now before the UN Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf. Based on the recommendations from the Commission, Ireland will then establish the outer limits of its continental shelf in these two areas. Recommendations are expected on the Porcupine Abyssal Plain later this year and on the Biscay Abyssal Plain next year.

Once the outer limits are established, Ireland can proceed to licence these areas for exploration in the normal way.